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“How bad is your arm?”
“I needed stitches.”
She released a heavy breath. “I’m glad you’re alright.”
“I’m always alright.”
“And I’m sorry…that I’ve caused you such grief.” She didn’t meet my gaze, too ashamed.
“I know you are.” Finally, there was no resentment. That chapter had been closed.
I put out the cigar, and we ate our dinner quietly. She whipped up chicken Marsala like she’d made it countless times. Her culinary skills weren’t extensive, but what she could make was pretty good. She devoured the bread, but I didn’t touch it.
With her eyes downcast she said, “It just came out. I wasn’t thinking. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable, and I’d appreciate it if we just pretended it never happened.” She sliced her fork into the tender meat drenched in wine sauce and placed it in her mouth.
It took me a moment to understand her reference. “Alright.”
She kept her eyes down as she cut into another piece.
“But I already knew.”
Her chin immediately lifted, and her eyes locked on mine.
“Doesn’t matter whether you say it or not.”
“How-how did you know?”
“Because I can feel it.”
20
LAURA
Bartholomew sat on the edge of the bed and pulled on his boots. He began the long process of tightening the laces before he secured them in a knot.
I still wore his shirt, and I wasn’t anxious to give it up. “Can you stay?” Now that work had calmed down, I hoped he had more free time to spend with me. We hadn’t slept together much, but every time we did, it was magical. I loved seeing his face first thing in the morning.
He looked at me, arms on his knees. “I can stay until you fall asleep.” He’d just woken up a couple hours ago, so he wouldn’t be able to sleep beside me and have breakfast in the morning.
So I took the offer. “Alright.”
He untied his boots and slipped them off before he stripped down to his boxers.
I removed his shirt so he could wear it when he left.
We got into bed, nearly naked, and that strong arm wrapped around me and pulled me close. Sealed in his warmth andhis manly scent, I was happy. I stared at his face beside me, treasured the sight of those beautiful eyes as I felt the fullness in my heart. My fingers lightly felt his chest and his neck, feeling the tight cords underneath his skin.
His eyes were on me, hardly blinking.
“Can I ask you something?” I whispered, feeling brave.
His eyes shifted back and forth between mine. “Yes.”
“Would you ever want something more than this…?” I’d fallen head over heels for this man and wanted a lifetime at his side. I wanted his mornings and his nights. I wanted to be his wife, the mother of his children. But would he ever want those things?
“When you laid down the rules for this relationship, you made it very clearmorewas off the table.”
“That was before I fell in love with you.”Or admitted that I was in love with you.
